New AO In-Hospital Trauma Malleolar fractures module—available now to AO Faculty—tackles a complex, high-impact injury

With the launch of the latest module, “Malleolar fractures,” AO In-Hospital continues to gain momentum, supporting AO Faculty and their teams by providing practical, case-based education addressing everyday clinical challenges. “Malleolar fractures” is the tenth module in AO In-Hospital’s online library of high-quality, workplace-based learning activities—all accessible at your fingertips.

Focused on a complex, high-impact injury

Lead author Abdullah Alkhawaldah (Jordan) said malleolar fractures are among the most common injuries encountered in trauma care, yet they often present critical decision points that can significantly influence long-term function.

“This new module is designed to strengthen learners’ knowledge and clinical decision-making skills, helping to optimize outcomes through accurate assessment, appropriate timing, and sound surgical planning,” he explained.

Available exclusively to AO Faculty and tailored for orthopedic surgeons and residents, general trauma surgeons and other hospital team members, the content takes a deep dive into the classification, assessment, and management of malleolar fracture patients. The module explores straightforward and complex presentations, including key considerations in trimalleolar and quadrimalleolar fracture patterns.

“Learners will gain structured guidance on evaluation, classification, and treatment strategy, supported by practical insights into anatomy, reduction principles, and injury-associated complications,” Alkhawaldah said.

Learning objectives

At the end of this module, participants will be able to:

• Outline indications of nonoperative versus operative treatment
• Recognize principles of the surgical treatment
• Discuss principles of soft-tissue assessment and timing of definitive surgery
• Apply a classification system and planning management
• Appreciate the importance of osteoligamentous structures
• Select surgical approaches to reconstruct the malleolus, with a focus on trimalleolar and quadrimalleolar fractures
• Analyze clinical and radiological assessment methods for 
  syndesmotic and deltoid injuries
• Explain the importance of anatomical reduction of syndesmosis
• Identify, prevent, and treat complications associated with special problems in ankle fractures

Alkhawaldah said he’s proud to contribute to AO In-Hospital, calling it “the essence of what orthopedic education should be: accessible, practical, and directly impactful on patient care.” 

“With this new module, we are bringing structured, high-quality AO teaching directly into the hospital environment, where learning immediately translates into better surgical practice,” he said. “Seeing young residents engage, discuss, and apply AO principles in real time reaffirmed my belief that the global standard of trauma care is advanced by the AO’s commitment to evidence-based, hands-on education.”